Birch bark texture.

Ahtna Kanas Summer 2019

Shareholder Employee Announcements

Starr Knighten

Starr Knighten, AI
Ahtna is pleased to welcome back M. Starr Knighten as part of the Shareholder Enrichment (previously Shareholder Development) Department. She has accepted a new position as the Shareholder Advocate based out of the Corporate Glennallen headquarter office. Starr will be working closely with Anchorage-based Tracy Parent on Shareholder Enrichment initiatives which include getting shareholders employed and/or trained.Starr is the granddaughter of the lateOscar and Mary Craig and Lloyd and Mary Bell and the daughter of Marlene Macy and Wayne Bell I. She belongs to the Udzisyu Clan, is a tribal member of the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah and along with being an Ahtna shareholder, is a Chitina Native Corporation shareholder. She is married to Dusty Knighten and they have 4 children ranging in age from 3-27. She enjoys the outdoors, manages a fish wheel in the summers and hunts during hunting seasons. She has Ahtna traditional plant knowledge that was passed down from her grandmother Mary Bell.


Leandra Hobson

Leandra Hobson, AI
Leandra Hobson has been hired by Ahtna as a Shareholder Records Assistant in the Shareholder Records department based out of the Corporate Glennallen headquarter office. In her new role she will assist with filing and maintaining shareholder records as well as making ongoing updates to shareholder information and documentation. Previously, Leandra worked for The Native Village of Tazlina for over seven years, first starting out as the IGAP/Administrative Assistant and then in 2014 she was promoted to Social Services Program Manager. Leandra’s paternal grandparents are the late Ray and Marie Dennis and her maternal grandparents are Eva John and the late Ray Dale. Her mother is Kathryn Martin and her father is the Late Karl Martin Jr. She is married to Christopher Hobson. She enjoys hunting and berry picking, but fishing is her favorite hobby.


Rodney Lengele

Rodney Lengele, ASL
Ahtna Shareholder Rodney Lengele has been hired as a Remote Sensing Specialist for Ahtna Solutions, LLC. Lengele interned last summer with Ahtna, Inc.’s Corporate Communications Department and with Ahtna Engineering Services in the construction field, gaining valuable hands-on experience.


Madeline Read

Madeline Read, AI
Madeline Read has been hired as an Accounts Payable Technician in Ahtna’s Accounting department. In her new role she will focus on the accounts payable for Ahtna subsidiaries Ahtna Design-Build, Inc. and Ahtna Government Services Corporation. Previously, she has over three years of credit union member service experience. Madeline is the daughter of Jason and Meg Nesslage and the granddaughter of Alice (Hobson) and Jack Nesslage. She is a member of the Dik’aagiyu clan. In her spare time she enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, chess and puzzles. She and her fiancé are even known to keep a spare tent in their truck for impulsive camping trips.


Josiah Stevens

Josiah Stevens, AI
Josiah Stevens is working for the Land Department as a Bear Guard this summer. He is a member of the Naltsiine (Sky) clan and his mother is Amber Alexander and his father Jeremy Stevens. He recently graduated from high school and previously interned with CRNA. Next fall he plans to attend Avtech to earn his welding certification. He wanted to try something new so decided to apply to work for Ahtna. He enjoys longboarding, hiking and basketball in his free time. His message is to “spread positive vibes!”


Rachael Wasson

Rachael Wasson, AEI
Rachael Wasson was recently promoted to Procurement Specialist I from Project Assistant I with AEI. Her new responsibilities include preparing new subcontracts and subcontract change orders, while also maintaining many of her previous responsibilities. She has shown significant improvement, dedication, and a strong work ethic which helped her achieve the promotion. Rachael is planning on pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.


Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor, AGL
Melissa Taylor has been hired by AGL as a Project Assistant I. She spent the previous nine years working as the Lead Administrative Assistant at the front desk of the Ahtna Anchorage Corporate Office. In her new position Melissa will complete documentation for accounts to be established, process field timecards and purchase orders, and learn procurement procedures. She was hired for her excellent work ethics, ability to handle high pressure situations, and her willingness to take on work that needs to be done. AGL is excited to have her on board as she advances her career here at Ahtna.


Chad Faverty

Chad Faverty, AEI
Chad Faverty was recently promoted to Contracts Administrator from Procurement Specialist I with AEI. His new responsibilities include setting up the subcontractor documents for new projects, tracking subcontractor documents, following up when necessary, and providing assistance to the rest of the procurement staff. Chad has proven to be a valuable resource, ensuring all deadlines are met, and has consistently provided quality deliverables. His ability to take on a heavy workload without missing deadlines with incredible accuracy was one of the reasons why he was promoted.